Cricket news roundup – 15th March 2019: Bangladesh-New Zealand Test called off following Christchurch shootout

Several members of the Bangladesh cricket team narrowly survived a mass shootout adjacent to a Christchurch mosque close to Hagley Oval, where they were supposed to play New Zealand for the third Test of the series tomorrow. The Test has subsequently been called off.

In other news, Delhi Capitals have named Sourav Ganguly as advisor; Hardik Pandya has been declared fit to play; Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have been ruled out of IPL 2019; Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the South Africa T20Is; and Karnataka have won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Christchurch Test called off after mosque shootout

Several Bangladeshi cricketers narrowly survived a shootout at a Christchurch mosque close to Hagley Oval, where they were supposed to play the third Test against New Zealand tomorrow. The Test was subsequently called off.

Reports of further instances of shooting have surfaced since then. The reported casualty count has already crossed ten.

Hardik returns

Hardik Pandya, who had missed the entire Australia series due to a stiff lower back, will feature in the IPL following a rehabilitation course at the National Cricket Academy. Pandya has already joined the Mumbai Indians camp.

Delhi sign Ganguly

Delhi Capitals have signed Sourav Ganguly as their advisor for their IPL 2019 campaign. Ganguly has led Kolkata Knight Riders and Pune Warriors India in the tournament.

Ganguly had resigned from the IPL Governing Council earlier. He later confirmed that he had accepted the offer following a conversation with BCCI CoA to ensure there was no conflict of interest.

No Mavi, Nagarkoti for KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders will be without the services of both Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti for IPL 2019. Both men, members of India’s triumphant Under-19 World Cup campaign last year, are nursing back injuries.

Prasidh Krishna had replaced an injured Nagarkoti last year. Now KKR have signed up Kerala fast bowler Sandeep Warrier as replacement for Mavi.

Lakmal returns after a year

Sri Lanka have included Suranga Lakmal for the upcoming three-T20I series in South Africa. Lakmal has not played T20Is for over a year and no 20-over cricket in seven months.

The squad reads Lasith Malinga (c), Niroshan Dickwella (vc and wk), Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Suranga Lakmal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Priyamal Perera, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Karnataka triumph over Maharashtra

Karnataka have won the 2018-19 Mushtaq Ali Trophy with an 8-wicket win over Maharashtra in the final, at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Asked to bat, Maharashtra put up 155/4 thanks to Naushad Shaikh’s unbeaten 41-ball 69.

Karnataka chased down the target with 9 balls to spare after Rohan Kadam (60 in 39 balls) and Mayank Agarwal (85* in 57) added 92 for the second wicket in 59 balls. Agarwal was named Player of the Match.